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Nationwide coalition focuses on reopening of Oklahoma to get rest of country ready

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Updated: 7:03 PM CDT May 13, 2020

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CITY. ERIN BEU JOINS US LIVE TONIGHT WITH THE ANSWER. REPORTER THIS COALITION IS MADE UP OF EXPERTS FROM ACROSS T NATION. THEY SAY THEY WANT TO STUDY OKLAHOMA FIRST BECAUSE THEY BELIEVE WE ARE RESILIENT WHEN IT COMES TO FIGHTING BACK DURING TRAGEDY. ACCORDING TO TOM NICHOLSON FROM DUKE UNIVERSITY, THE START COALITION IS -- >> AND INTERDISCIPLINARY GROUP OF INSTITUTIONS, ORGANIZATIONS, PRIVATE GROUPS OF INDIVIDUALS AND NONPROFITS THAT HAVE COME TOGETHER TO BRING A COMPREHENSIVE APPROACH AGAINST THE SITUATION WITH COVID. >> WE ARE FIGURING OUT HOW TO SAFELY REOPEN OUR COMMUNITIES. REPORTER JASON SANDERS SAYS THEY CANNOT DO THAT WITHOUT EXAMPLES AND DATA. >> ONE OF THE MEASURES IN PLACE? WHAT ARE WE LEARNING ABOUT? REPORTER THEY CHOSE OKLAHOMA CITY BECAUSE WE ARE ALREADY STARTING TO REOPEN. THEY ALSO SAY WE HAVE GREAT HEALTH INSTITUTIONS. >> WE HAVE GOT SOME OF THE BEST SCIENTISTS IN THE WORLD ON ANTIBODY TESTING, IT WE HAVE UNIQUE RESEARCH CAPABILITIES. REPORTER: THEY WILL BE COLLECTING DATA AND USING THE EXPERTISE TO COME UP WITH WAYS FOR US TO HELP STOP T SPREAD OR FIND A POSSIBLE CURE. >> APPLY PROVEN, EFFECTIVE TOOLS THAT HAVE WORKED AGAINST INFECTIOUS DISEASES IN VERY DIFFERENT SETTINGS ACROSS THE WORLD. REPORTER: SOME OF THOSE TOOLS WE PCOULD SEE IS A POSSIBLE TR

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Nationwide coalition focuses on reopening of Oklahoma to get rest of country ready

Oklahoma could be a test case study for the nation's efforts to reopen America as the Alliance of Nonprofits just launched a study that starts in Oklahoma City.The nationwide coalition is composed of a variety of experts. It said it's starting with Oklahoma City because the city has a history of fighting back during a tragedy.According to Tom Nicholson, from Duke University, the START Coalition is an "intradisciplinary group of institutions, organizations, private group of individuals and nonprofits that have come together to try and have a comprehensive approach against the situation with COVID."Jason Sanders, senior vice president of OU Health Sciences Center, said that means, "We are trying to figure out how to safely reopen our communities." He also said the coalition can't do that without examples and data."What are the measures in place? What are we learning about? What's effective?" Nicholson said.The coalition chose Oklahoma City because the city already started to reopen."What is going on in Oklahoma City is quite unique," Nicholson said.Coalition officials also said Oklahoma City has great health institutes."We got some of the best scientists in the world ... on the antibody test, and we have unique research capabilities here," Sanders said.So, the coalition will collect data and use its expertise to come up with ways for people to help stop the spread of COVID-19 or even find a possible cure."Apply proven, effective tools that have worked against infectious diseases in various different settings across the world," Nicholson said.The coalition plans on studying other cities and states, as well. Oklahoma City just happens to be the first city to be studied.

OKLAHOMA CITY —

Oklahoma could be a test case study for the nation's efforts to reopen America as the Alliance of Nonprofits just launched a study that starts in Oklahoma City.

The nationwide coalition is composed of a variety of experts. It said it's starting with Oklahoma City because the city has a history of fighting back during a tragedy.

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According to Tom Nicholson, from Duke University, the START Coalition is an "intradisciplinary group of institutions, organizations, private group of individuals and nonprofits that have come together to try and have a comprehensive approach against the situation with COVID."

Jason Sanders, senior vice president of OU Health Sciences Center, said that means, "We are trying to figure out how to safely reopen our communities." He also said the coalition can't do that without examples and data.

"What are the measures in place? What are we learning about? What's effective?" Nicholson said.

The coalition chose Oklahoma City because the city already started to reopen.

"What is going on in Oklahoma City is quite unique," Nicholson said.

Coalition officials also said Oklahoma City has great health institutes.

"We got some of the best scientists in the world ... on the antibody test, and we have unique research capabilities here," Sanders said.

So, the coalition will collect data and use its expertise to come up with ways for people to help stop the spread of COVID-19 or even find a possible cure.

"Apply proven, effective tools that have worked against infectious diseases in various different settings across the world," Nicholson said.

The coalition plans on studying other cities and states, as well. Oklahoma City just happens to be the first city to be studied.